OP here. Thanks for the many responses. I know this is an unusual proposal, but I have a strong track record with my agency and a reputation for efficiency. I supervise a strong team with long-term deliverables, and they do not need my daily physical presence to get their work done. My proposal is to drop one day of work/week, with the understanding that I would work more as needed during busier times/pressing deadlines and be available for urgent staff needs on my day off. I was thinking of dropping a mid-week day, to allow me to be available on Friday to ensure weekly deliverables are completed, but maybe Friday would be a better proposal - there are more staff out that day, for sure. And since a compressed schedule is an option at my agency, it would be less noticeable. I'm preparing my proposal now, and will include cost savings to the agency and a trial period.

Anonymous wrote:Why do you want to only work 32 hours a week at that level?

I would LOVE to work 32 hours. The most difficult part will be making sure all meetings are M-Th (assuming she's dropping one 8-hour day).

Frankly, I have had GS-14 supervisors who were ineffective and couldn't get the job done even if they had 50 hours a week, and I've had super efficient supervisors who could totally manage a 32 hour week (assuming email gets checked from home each night). If I had an employee who has proven to be a good worker, I would give them the benefit of the doubt for a short week before rolling the dice again to refill the position.

We have a couple supervisory GS-14's in our office. They take Fridays off. Not a big deal at all, as most folks take one Friday off during the pay period as part of their AWS. Its worked out just fine. One of them has been doing it for years. Maybe they are lucky that we have an awesome SES who values work-life balance. And that they oversee a small team of self-starters who require minimal supervision. Both have Blackberries and I'm sure if there was an emergency they wouldn't think twice about responding and addressing as needed. They have the ability to log on to our network from home.

I did this while supervising for about 5 years. Really isn't a big deal. I didn't work Fridays. Most are already taking one Friday off from compressed schedule anyway. No big deal.

No, not going to happen unless you have a medical condition

32/40 is 80% of a full time job.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you want to only work 32 hours a week at that level?

+1...32 hours a week as a supervisory 14 is going to be difficult. How would you be able to split managing your staff with someone else? I ask this as a supervisory 14.

Maybe by having a gs-13 deputy who can help out

Anonymous wrote:Why do you want to only work 32 hours a week at that level?

+1...32 hours a week as a supervisory 14 is going to be difficult. How would you be able to split managing your staff with someone else? I ask this as a supervisory 14.

Why do you want to only work 32 hours a week at that level?

Anonymous wrote:No, because a supervisor's effectiveness is limited when they're only there 50% of the time.

32hrs/week is not 50%.

yes, this happens occasionally in my office.

Yes, but it was super special circumstances (baby born with specific medical needs) and someone who had been in the office for a while.

No, because a supervisor's effectiveness is limited when they're only there 50% of the time.

I am putting together a proposal to work 32 hours/week, and would love to get some additional perspective. Thanks!